Skull and Bones is an upcoming action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Singapore and published by Ubisoft.
The game is set to release during the 2023–2024 for Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Skull and Bones will not be available on PS4 and Xbox One, with Ubisoft making the decision to embrace the next-gen consoles instead. Likewise, there are no announced plans for a Nintendo Switch version of Skull and Bones.
The game revolves around piracy and naval warfare.
Skull and Bones Gameplay trailer:
Gameplay
Skull and Bones is a tactical action game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective. Players take control of a customizable pirate ship, and may choose to sail the Indian Ocean by themselves and set off on a single-player campaign, or gather up to five other players to ally in player versus player gameplay in Disputed Waters.
Ubisoft has said, “The game is inspired by one of the deadliest periods in history – the end of the 17th century. Considered to be the second Golden Age of Piracy, it sets the stage for a chaotic and ruthless era of pirates, warring factions, powerful organisations, and empires all vying for power in the untamed paradise of the Indian Ocean.“
Skull and Bones will feature both on-foot and naval exploration, as well as some survival elements. You will need to make sure you have enough supplies to complete your voyages, for example, or otherwise plunder and steal them from other ships on the way. If your crew isn’t well taken care of, they can apparently mutiny and attempt to kill you. On-foot exploration is slightly limited. You can only dock at specified points to explore different islands rather than disembark anywhere you please.
Players will get to experience the authentic pirate life. From accepting contracts, gathering resources, to navigating important trade routes and attacking wealthy merchant ships, each decision will influence their journey, with varying levels of risk and reward. As you grow your Infamy, players will be able to fully craft and customise their naval fleet and unlock a variety of new items throughout the game.
Wind positioning can be assessed to gain an advantage in battle. Players may collect additional ships throughout the game, such as sloops-of-war, frigates and brigantines, whose weapons include mortars, broadside cannons, and rockets. Ships can be charged into with brute force and boarded. The rate of inflicted damage is gauged by the health bar. A core component is the multiplayer mode Loot Hunt, where two groups of players are challenged in treasure hunting to further accumulate their riches. Each given ship’s crow’s nest is scalable for use as a lookout point and spyglasses can be availed of as well.
In Skull and Bones, players will work together with and against other players to become the best pirate around. The game features high-stakes naval battles between loot-hunting pirates. The game features several types of ships, such as the durable frigate and the long-ranged sloop of war. Players can attempt to approach and board the ships of their enemies. Players must also evade the nearly invincible pirate hunters, who will target the pirates with the most loot.
Your infamous legacy
The main loop will be focused on starting in a hub area called Sainte-Anne, where you can do your shopping, craft, accept quests, and interact with other players before heading out to sea.
There are also many natural dangers, including animals like hippos and crocodiles, plus storms and even pirate hunters. Your own crew can even turn against you.
Starting off, you will only have access to the smallest ship, called a Dhow, and a spear. As you build up materials and money by doing quests, or contracts, your Infamy level will grow. The higher your Infamy, the more blueprints you can access to build new, better ships, weapons, and armour. Infamy can also be increased by doing other activities like exploring, plundering, hunting treasure, and investigating, plus dynamic events around the world.
Your ship will have just as many weapon options, or perhaps more, than the player, including cannons, mortars, and Greek Fire. There will also be a variety of ship types with different strengths and weaknesses, such as speed, hull space, and combat capabilities. If your ship should sink, you will lose a portion of your cargo as a penalty.
Features
- Craft up to 12 ships and customise them with a variety of weapons and armour to maximise your chances for success
- Players will be able to customise their crew, weapons and abilities as well as select their captain of choice before hitting the high seas
- Be wary in this untamed open world inspired by the Indian Ocean. There are predators lurking around every corner
- There is also a kraken
- Choose how you want to take on the seas. Sail solo or team up with two friends to watch your back in either PvE or PvP
Final Words
So, do you think you will allow yourself to live out your pirate fantasies with your friends and purchase this game, when it finally becomes available sometime during 2023 or ‘24?
